R. Vincent Johnson

Ralph Vincent (Vince) Johnson, 91, was born on February 21, 1924 in Kirkwood, Illinois. He attended the First Lutheran Church in Monmouth where he met his wife, the former Dorothy Jeanne Matson. He graduated from Kirkwood High School in 1942. Vince began his college career attending Monmouth College and became a member of the TKE fraternity. In late 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he served during World War II, from 1942 to 1946. He was selected to be in the Navy V-12 program, continuing his college studies at the University of Illinois and Columbia University while also training as an Officer. Once commissioned, he served as a Communications Officer on the Escort Aircraft Carrier U.S.S. Bougainville seeing service in the Pacific in Guam, Okinawa, China and Japan. He received his B.S. in Chemistry in 1947 from Monmouth College and his M.S. in Chemistry from the University of Illinois in 1948.

Vince married his college sweetheart, Dorothy Jeanne Matson, on June 18, 1949. The young couple moved to Waukegan in 1949 where Vince had been recruited to be a research and development chemist for Abbott Laboratories. He retired from Abbott Laboratories in 1984 after 36 years of dedicated service.

Vince and Jeanne enjoyed nearly 47 years of marriage before her death in 1996. Vince married Ann Hughes Johnson, Waukegan, in 1997, who recently preceded him in death on January 5, 2015.

Vince is survived by his son: Douglas (Kathleen) of Mundelein; two daughters: Lynette (John) Carlson of Champaign and Cindy (Tim) Kasper of Waukegan; grandchildren: Mike (Lauren) Carlson of Algonquin; Jim (Tanya) Carlson of Chicago; Colin (Amanda) Johnson of Chicago; Jenna Johnson of Los Angeles; Clare (Jeff) Johnson-Waraksa of Chicago; Connor Johnson of Mundelein; Jeanie Kasper of Waukegan; two great-grandchildren: Nolan and Meredith Carlson of Algonquin; sister: Carolyn Sherman of San Francisco; and brother: Wendell (Sharon) Johnson of Denver. Vince was preceded in death by his wife: Dorothy Jeanne Johnson; second wife: Ann Hughes Johnson and his brother: Kenny.

Vince loved his family, the Swedish Glee Club, Trinity United Lutheran Church, singing, bowling, golfing, gardening, playing cards and helping others. He was loved and known by all as a kind and gentle man. He will be remembered fondly and missed deeply.

A service of celebration of his life will be held at Trinity United Lutheran Church, 658 Grand Avenue, Waukegan, on Saturday, March 21st, at 11:00 A.M. with Pastor Rich Grudt officiating.

Visitation will be held at Marsh Funeral Home, 305 N. Cemetery Road, Gurnee, IL on Friday, March 20th from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M. and immediately preceding the funeral service at Trinity United Lutheran Church from 10:00-11:00 A.M. on Saturday, March 21st.

Entombment of our loving father and grandfather will be at Warren County Memorial Park in Monmouth, Illinois.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Trinity United Lutheran Church, 658 Grand Ave., Waukegan, or The Waukegan Swedish Glee Club, 2030 Ash St., Waukegan.